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  4. I slept in a 100-square-foot tiny home in the heart of an overgrown rainforest, and it was the most unusual place I've slept

I slept in a 100-square-foot tiny home in the heart of an overgrown rainforest, and it was the most unusual place I've slept

I slept in a 100-square-foot tiny home in the heart of an overgrown rainforest, and it was the most unusual place I've slept
Insider's author spent a night in a tiny house at Paronella Park, an attraction with abandoned, overgrown castles and buildings.Monica Humphries/Insider
  • On a trip to Australia, I visited Paronella Park, a property with abandoned castles and structures.
  • I also spent a night in one of the property's 100-square-foot tiny homes.

If I was going to travel nearly 9,000 miles from my Colorado home to Australia, there were a few adventures I was intent on having.

If I was going to travel nearly 9,000 miles from my Colorado home to Australia, there were a few adventures I was intent on having.
The Sydney Opera House in Australia.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I wanted to sip a spritzer at the famous Bondi Icebergs restaurant overlooking Sydney's iconic pool and beach.

I wanted to sip a spritzer at the famous Bondi Icebergs restaurant overlooking Sydney
The author at a bar in Sydney, Australia.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I wanted to dive into the Great Barrier Reef and swim amongst sharks, sea turtles, and fish.

I wanted to dive into the Great Barrier Reef and swim amongst sharks, sea turtles, and fish.
Sunrise on a sailboat on the Great Barrier Reef.      Monica Humphries/Insider

And after I discovered Queensland's Paronella Park on the travel website Atlas Obscura, I knew I wanted to explore its abandoned, overgrown castle.

And after I discovered Queensland
The ruins at Paronella Park in Australia.      Monica Humphries/Insider

As someone fascinated by abandoned places, its cement structures, coated in years' worth of vibrant, green lichen, immediately intrigued me.

As someone fascinated by abandoned places, its cement structures, coated in years
A cement structure at Paronella Park in Queensland, Australia.      Monica Humphries/Insider

As I dug deeper into what Paronella Park offered, I learned it's also home to six rentable tiny homes.

As I dug deeper into what Paronella Park offered, I learned it
The exterior of the tiny house at Paronella Park.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Since tiny homes have gradually become my favorite accommodation style, Paronella Park seemed to be the fusion of two things I love: ghost towns and tiny living.

Since tiny homes have gradually become my favorite accommodation style, Paronella Park seemed to be the fusion of two things I love: ghost towns and tiny living.
Insider's author has slept in a handful of tiny homes and visited more than a dozen ghost towns.      Monica Humphries/Insider

So the park was a must on my 10-day Australia itinerary.

So the park was a must on my 10-day Australia itinerary.
An entrance sign to Paronella Park.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Before arriving in July, I booked a day tour, a night tour, and a stay at one of the tiny houses. Together, the trip cost $155 AUD, or $107 USD.

Before arriving in July, I booked a day tour, a night tour, and a stay at one of the tiny houses. Together, the trip cost $155 AUD, or $107 USD.
The exterior of the tiny house at Paronella Park.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I arrived before check-in with plenty of time for a guided property tour. Unlike most of the abandoned places I've visited, Paronella Park was bustling with people.

I arrived before check-in with plenty of time for a guided property tour. Unlike most of the abandoned places I
The entrance of Paronella Park.      Monica Humphries/Insider

A guide took a group of about 25 around the half-dozen structures that fill the 13-acre property and shared the story of the park's founder, José Paronella, who purchased it in 1929.

A guide took a group of about 25 around the half-dozen structures that fill the 13-acre property and shared the story of the park
A tour group at Paronella Park.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Over several years, he built a public attraction with swimming pools, a ballroom, tennis courts, and a castle, which opened in 1935.

Over several years, he built a public attraction with swimming pools, a ballroom, tennis courts, and a castle, which opened in 1935.
A displayed photograph of José Paronella and his wife Margarita in the 1940s.      Monica Humphries/Insider

But just a decade after it opened, floods destroyed part of the park in 1946. José and his family rebuilt, but tragedy struck again when José died in 1948.

But just a decade after it opened, floods destroyed part of the park in 1946. José and his family rebuilt, but tragedy struck again when José died in 1948.
The ruins at Paronella Park in Australia.      Monica Humphries/Insider

After José's death, Paronella Park, which remained in his family for three decades, continued to suffer. Floods, a fire, and cyclones struck the region over the years.

After José
A displayed photograph of Paronella Park in the 1950s.      Monica Humphries/Insider

In 1977, José's family sold Paronella Park, and it closed shortly after, the tour guide told the group.

In 1977, José
A cement table covered in green moss.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Soon after Mark and Judy Evans learned about the overgrown lot and its fascinating history in 1993, the guide said the couple purchased it, spent a few intense months restoring it, and reopened it for the public.

Soon after Mark and Judy Evans learned about the overgrown lot and its fascinating history in 1993, the guide said the couple purchased it, spent a few intense months restoring it, and reopened it for the public.
Ruins at Paronella Park.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Today, they continue to maintain and restore Paronella Park, my tour guide said.

Today, they continue to maintain and restore Paronella Park, my tour guide said.
A section of Paronella Park that is being restored.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Once the tour was over, I was free to roam the property. As the crowds dispersed into the rainforest, an eerie sensation crept up.

Once the tour was over, I was free to roam the property. As the crowds dispersed into the rainforest, an eerie sensation crept up.
A view of one of the buildings at Paronella Park.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I wondered what could be around every corner of the forest. Would I run into a crocodile at the water's edge? What details might I find in the cement structure that used to hold dance parties in the 1930s?

I wondered what could be around every corner of the forest. Would I run into a crocodile at the water
The waterfall at Paronella Park in Queensland, Australia.      Monica Humphries/Insider

But Paronella Park also felt magical. I envisioned the life and excitement that once filled the property, and it all happening in the middle of a lush rainforest felt otherworldly.

But Paronella Park also felt magical. I envisioned the life and excitement that once filled the property, and it all happening in the middle of a lush rainforest felt otherworldly.
An old stove in one of the abandoned buildings.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Once I explored every nook and cranny of the park, I picked up the keys to my tiny house.

Once I explored every nook and cranny of the park, I picked up the keys to my tiny house.
The keys to the author's tiny house at Paronella Park.      Monica Humphries/Insider

About a two-minute walk from the park's entrance is an RV park, and along one gravel road are the six tiny home rentals.

About a two-minute walk from the park
A row of tiny houses at Paronella Park.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I was in cabin three for the night. I climbed up four steps onto the home's covered porch.

I was in cabin three for the night. I climbed up four steps onto the home
The entrance to the tiny house.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Then, I unlocked the door and stepped inside the 100-square-foot tiny house.

Then, I unlocked the door and stepped inside the 100-square-foot tiny house.
The interior of the tiny house at Paronella Park.      Monica Humphries/Insider

The one-room space was simple. To the left was a queen-size mattress. Sandwiching the bed were nightstands, lamps, and outlets.

The one-room space was simple. To the left was a queen-size mattress. Sandwiching the bed were nightstands, lamps, and outlets.
The queen-size bed in the tiny house.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Across from the bed was a mini fridge, TV, kettle, AC unit, and storage space with extra pillows and blankets.

Across from the bed was a mini fridge, TV, kettle, AC unit, and storage space with extra pillows and blankets.
The tiny house had a mini fridge, small TV, shelves, and kettle.      Monica Humphries/Insider

There wasn't a bathroom in the cabin. Instead, there was a communal restroom within walking distance from the tiny house. It had toilets, showers, and sinks shared by the entire RV park.

There wasn
The interior of the bathroom.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Nearby, I also found a covered picnic area, a washer, and a few shared kitchen appliances for cooking.

Nearby, I also found a covered picnic area, a washer, and a few shared kitchen appliances for cooking.
Guests had access to a washer and shared kitchen appliances.      Monica Humphries/Insider

The tiny house had everything I needed for a night. There was AC to keep me cool, coffee to energize me in the morning, and a comfy bed to fall asleep in.

The tiny house had everything I needed for a night. There was AC to keep me cool, coffee to energize me in the morning, and a comfy bed to fall asleep in.
Inside the tiny house, guests had complimentary coffee, tea, and water.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I spent most of my time relaxing on my cabin's covered porch. From the patio chairs, I had views looking straight into the rainforest José planted when he first purchased the property.

I spent most of my time relaxing on my cabin
Each tiny house had a porch.      Monica Humphries/Insider

As I sat and listened to the sounds of the rainforest, I thought the tiny house was the ideal place to rest after exploring. And there was plenty to explore.

As I sat and listened to the sounds of the rainforest, I thought the tiny house was the ideal place to rest after exploring. And there was plenty to explore.
A general view of Paronella Park.      Anegada/Getty Images

Just a few hundred feet away was an unparalleled setting filled with magical structures, Australian critters, and captivating history.

Just a few hundred feet away was an unparalleled setting filled with magical structures, Australian critters, and captivating history.
A general view of Paronella Park.      Anegada/Getty Images

As the sun set, I walked to the nearby Mena Creek Hotel for dinner. The hotel had a pub, where I dined on fried salt-and-pepper calamari.

As the sun set, I walked to the nearby Mena Creek Hotel for dinner. The hotel had a pub, where I dined on fried salt-and-pepper calamari.
The sunset from the parking lot at The Mena Creek Hotel.      Monica Humphries/Insider

At 8 p.m., it was time for Paronella Park's night tour, which was included in the $55 AUD, or $38 USD, entrance fee.

At 8 p.m., it was time for Paronella Park
Paronella Park has a disco ball in the property's original dance hall.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Post-tour, we were once again free to roam the jungle. With fewer people in the dark rainforest, I found nighttime even spookier than daytime.

Post-tour, we were once again free to roam the jungle. With fewer people in the dark rainforest, I found nighttime even spookier than daytime.
A dark staircase lead to the site's ticketing building.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I admired the silhouettes of structures and the sound of the nearby creek.

I admired the silhouettes of structures and the sound of the nearby creek.
A view of one of the structures at Paronella Park at night.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Without anyone else around, I imagined myself dancing under the disco ball in the 1930s and wondered what life would've been like back then.

Without anyone else around, I imagined myself dancing under the disco ball in the 1930s and wondered what life would
The main castle illuminated in lights.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Exhausted from the day of exploring, I headed back to my tiny house. I crawled into bed, where my dreams of 1930s Australia continued.

Exhausted from the day of exploring, I headed back to my tiny house. I crawled into bed, where my dreams of 1930s Australia continued.
The interior of a tiny house at Paronella Park.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I was thankful that Judy and Mark Evans restored the park so José's dreams could live on, and I was even more thankful that I could catch a glimpse into those fantasies.

I was thankful that Judy and Mark Evans restored the park so José
The author outside her tiny house at Paronella Park.      Monica Humphries/Insider

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